{"id":2049,"date":"2017-07-14T16:07:34","date_gmt":"2017-07-14T16:07:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uniofglos.blog\/?p=2049"},"modified":"2024-11-05T12:07:51","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T12:07:51","slug":"shedding-light-on-darkest-cheltenham-the-lower-high-street-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.glos.ac.uk\/history\/2017\/07\/14\/shedding-light-on-darkest-cheltenham-the-lower-high-street-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Shedding Light on ‘Darkest Cheltenham’: the Lower High Street Project"},"content":{"rendered":"

The History blog has not been as active as usual in recent months, and while this was not ideal, there is a good excuse. Over the last seven months, staff and students in History at the University of Gloucestershire worked on a project which focused on the history of Cheltenham’s Lower High Street. The idea for the project came from discussions with <\/span><\/span>Cheltenham\u2019s Civic Society<\/span><\/a> and the <\/span><\/span>West End Partnership<\/span><\/a>, and the outcomes from research conducted primarily by Dr David Howell, Dr Matt Kidd, and myself were showcased in an exhibition that was launched on Civic Day 17th June at the recently established <\/span><\/span>Chapel Arts<\/span><\/a> gallery in Cheltenham. This interactive exhibit attracted considerable attention, with over 1000 visitors and plenty of press attention. The interest in the exhibition is indicative of the significance of this local history project which was important for a number of reasons.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Cheltenham is a town often celebrated for its Regency architecture and rich Georgian heritage. However, its reputation as a \u2018Spa\u2019 town excludes its most historic district, what is commonly referred to as the Lower High Street. This part of the town has clear medieval origins, and from the early 19th century to the present day, it has often been home to Cheltenham\u2019s poorest residents and immigrants, as well as some of its oldest buildings. Despite its heritage, it has been subject to numerous interventions by local authorities in terms of improvement and regeneration from the late 19th century onwards, which has caused the loss of significant historic architecture, as well as out-migration. Today, the Lower High Street continues to suffer from a negative reputation which serves to reduce its significance to Cheltenham\u2019s history, simultaneously pointing to the role of class in shaping the town\u2019s heritage and tourism landscape. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n